Latvia is one of the most convenient EU countries for employing foreign specialists. Its advantages are obvious:
– Simple design process: minimal bureaucracy compared to other EU countries.
– High demand for specialists: especially in the fields of IT, construction, medicine and logistics.
– Formal employment: legal work with the possibility of obtaining a residence permit.
– Relatively low cost of living: affordable housing and a reasonable cost of living.
– Schengen Area: the opportunity to travel around Europe without additional visas.
How to get a work visa in Latvia?
A long-stay visa for employment is issued for up to one year; a visa for seasonal work, for up to six months in any 12-month period. You need an invitation from the employer approved by the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (OCMA), and before that the employer registers the vacancy with the State Employment Agency. Russian citizens cannot get a visa with the right to work, except for seasonal work, and even then Latvian missions accept their applications only in the cases listed in Cabinet Regulation No. 123. A decision is made within 15 days, or within 60 days if further checks are needed. The process has several stages:
– Consultation: analysis of your situation and choice of the right visa or permit.
– Preparation of documents: assistance in filling out the questionnaire, preparation of necessary documents, verification of the contract with the employer.
– Preparing the invitation: we help the employer prepare the invitation for OCMA approval.
– Appointment at the consulate: we help you book the consulate appointment.
– Support at the time of submission: professional assistance and control of the correctness of the application.
– Getting a visa: we monitor the review process and inform you about each stage.
.svg){kind=small}